Charity Governance Insurance
Governance insurance — typically structured as a Directors and Officers (D&O) or Trustees and Officers (T&O) policy — has become an increasingly urgent conversation for charity boards following the Charities Amendment Act 2023, which expanded the definition of "officer" and strengthened the obligations of those who govern registered charities. With a mandatory governance review cycle set against an October 2026 milestone for many organisations, boards that have not yet assessed their personal liability exposure are running out of time to do so proactively.
- Registered Financial Service Providers
- Multiple Insurers Compared
- Charity Sector Specialists
- No Cost to Compare
Key Coverage Points
What your policy needs to address for this type of organisation and risk profile.
- 1
D&O and T&O cover for trustees, officers, and governance committee members
- 2
Expanded coverage aligned with the Charities Amendment Act 2023's broader officer definition
- 3
Employment practices liability for charities with paid staff reporting to the board
- 4
Regulatory investigation defence costs for Charities Services or Commerce Commission inquiries
- 5
Run-off cover for outgoing trustees who may face retrospective claims after leaving the board
- 6
Crisis communications cover helping boards manage reputational exposure during governance disputes
What Matters Most for This Risk
Regulatory investigation defence cover is the governance insurance feature most relevant to the post-Charities Amendment Act 2023 environment. Charities Services has strengthened its powers to investigate governance conduct, and a formal investigation — even one that results in no adverse finding — can consume substantial legal resources over months or years. A T&O policy with investigation defence cover pays the reasonable legal costs of responding to a Charities Services inquiry from the date it is notified, without requiring the board to wait for a formal claim to be issued. For boards facing the October 2026 governance review deadline, having this protection in place before that milestone is straightforward risk management.
Why Use charityinsurance.co.nz?
charityinsurance.co.nz connects charity boards with Registered Financial Service Providers who have placed governance cover for charities operating under the Charities Act and the Incorporated Societies Act. Our brokers will review your board structure, identify which individuals fall within the expanded officer definition under the 2023 Act, and recommend a T&O policy that covers all of them — not just the named trustees on the certificate. Get a Quote before your next board meeting.
Our Broker Panel
- Registered Financial Service Providers on the FSPR
- Access to all major charity insurance underwriters
- Specialist not-for-profit sector expertise
- No additional cost to your organisation for comparison
- One form — multiple quotes, one business day
Insurance by Organisation Type
Explore insurance information specific to the type of organisation you run.
Not sure which cover fits your organisation?
Our panel of Registered Financial Service Providers will assess your risk profile and recommend the right cover. No obligation, no jargon — just clear specialist advice.